Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s hard to find time to whip up tasty weeknight dinners — the last thing you want to do is spend money on ordering out. But, with shopping, wrapping, Christmas parties and more, who has time to cook?! Now is the perfect time to pull out your trusty slow cooker and let that little kitchen magician do the work for you. We’ve got some easy, tasty slow cooker recipes that will give you a good ol’ homecooked meal in the middle of the holiday chaos. These recipes are your secret weapon to savoring the moments of the season, one fuss-free meal at a time!
Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken breasts, onions, yogurt, and a few pungent Indian spices is all you need to whip up an authentic chicken tikka masala that will transport you to Northern India. This recipe from Ministry of Curry is easy to make and delivers on taste. Pick up some basmati rice and naan bread to complete the meal. You won’t be disappointed!
White Chicken Chili
For a refreshing twist on traditional chili, try this white chicken chili from Spicy Southern Kitchen. This ultra-creamy, dreamy chili calls for an entire block of cream cheese, plenty of southwestern spices, beans, cheese, and even Frito chips! Be sure to work this one into your weekly winter rotation!
Slow Cooker Corn Chowder
Is there anything more comforting than a warm bowl of corn chowder? We don’t think so! This recipe from The Magical Slow Cooker requires you to pre-cook some bacon, but after that, this is a dump and go recipe that’s a breeze to make. There are five different vegetables in this meal, so it’s one to feel good about!
Slow Cooker Lasagna
We love a good, meaty lasagna but who has time to make this iconic dish during the holidays? This recipe for slow cooker lasagna from Natasha’s Kitchen only takes about a half hour to prep. You don’t even need to pre-cook the noodles – just toss them in raw and they’ll cook themselves! You can make this five-star meal a day ahead, pop it in the refrigerator overnight, and then fire it up before you head out the door in the morning.
Slow Cooker Jambalaya
One of the home chefs on the Goodtaste team has been making this recipe from Simply Recipes for more than a decade and it’s always a hit! It’s pretty good as is, but if you’re feeling a little extra, our Goodtaste staffer enhances this recipe with a little more garlic, a half cup of white wine, and a few shakes of hot sauce. Be sure to use andouille sausage for an authentic New Orleans vibe!
Slow Cooker Beef Drip Sandwiches
This hearty beef drip sandwich from The Food Network’s Ree Drummond gets a big boost of flavor from caramelized onions and a whole jar of pepperoncini peppers. The chuck roast cooks slow and low for 7 to 8 hours until the meat is tender and ready to pull apart. Even better, you’ll have enough meat in this recipe for two meals!
Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas
Enchiladas in a slow cooker? Yes, please! With more than 25 grams of protein and just 26 grams of carbohydrates per serving, these cheesy enchiladas from Skinny Taste are a meal you can feel good about. This dish only takes about 15 minutes of prep to put together so it’s an easy fix on those busy shopping days!
Spaghetti Squash with Meatballs
This recipe from Paleo Pot couldn’t be easier to make and if you’re looking for a lighter, carb-free weeknight meal, this is it. A staffer on our Goodtaste team swears by this recipe. Her tips: add a little more garlic than this recipe calls for and one whole can of diced tomatoes for some texture. When piling it all into the crockpot, tuck a couple meatballs under the hollowed out shell of the spaghetti squash so you can fit them all in!
Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon
This homey beef bourguignon from The Recipe Critic is the perfect way to welcome cooler temperatures. This hearty meal melds beef chuck, bacon, garlic, thyme, carrots, mushrooms, baby potatoes, and more for a rich weeknight meal you’ll want to make time and time again.
Cinnamon Pecan Breakfast Bread Pudding
While most people turn to crockpots for easy, weeknight dinners, don’t skip out on what this miracle worker can do for a lazy Sunday brunch. This cinnamon pecan bread pudding from Southern Living is a perfect weekend brunch dish this holiday season. Note: This bread pudding has to chill for at least 8 hours before you turn the slow cooker on in the morning.
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